In 2007, Oakland’s Beth Terry decided to give up plastic after seeing a picture of a dead seabird, its stomach filled with plastic bottle caps. Her decision spawned a blog, a book and a movement to make people aware of how much plastic they consume. KQED’s Forum talks to Terry about how, and why, people should reduce their plastic use, from changes obvious (carry your own reusable water bottle) to the surprising (kick that chewing gum habit).

Terry’s transformation to plastic-activist started when she saw a photograph of a dead sea-bird whose insides were filled with plastic objects like bottle caps, cigarette lighters — even a toothbrush. That photo launched Terry onto a singular mission — to cut down the amount of plastic in the world.

And while Terry is not alone — more than ever the public has taken a critical eye toward plastic — both for perceived negative effects on the environment and health — many of us carry a metal SIGG bottle with us, throw plastic containers into the recycling bin and call it a day.

Terry suggests before even trying to rid your life of plastic, simply take some time to become aware of how and when you use it. Here website has a “plastic challenge” that encourage people to track their plastic use for one week.

“It’s amazing, the awareness that comes though doing the challenge, says Marianne Davis, who took Terry’s challenge.” After completing in the challenge, Davis says “Whenever you touch plastic you kind of are, like “Wait a second, what do I about this? Do I really need this? Is there an alternative to this?”

2. When dining out, request drinks without plastic straws.

3. Buy milk in glass bottles.

Though many people don’t associate milk cartons with plastic, they are actually lined with a plastic film. Terry says that pretty much any packaging that is leak-proof has plastic in it.

4. Give up chewing gum and hard candies.

Yes, chewing gum is plastic.

5. Buy in bulk and bring your own reusable food containers and bags to the store.

Terry and her husband bring a stainless steel bucket to the butcher counter and ask them butcher to put the meat in that instead of plastic-lined paper. She recommends frequenting the same businesses so that they grow accustomed to your request.

6. Use a tool lending library.

“If it’s a tool that you’re only going to use once, why buy a brand new one,” says Terry. “Borrow it.”

7. Shop secondhand and shop less overall.

When it comes to durable items like electronics and appliances, Terry asks herself “Do I really need something new?” If it turns out that she does need the item she finds “a way to get it so that I’m not creating more demand for new plastic in the world. I look for it secondhand or I borrow it, or rent it.”

8. Bring own food containers to restaurants.

9. When you place an order, request that it be shipped without plastic packaging.

I am the Senior Interactive Producer for KQED's online Food properties. I have designed and produced food-related websites and blogs for KQED including Bay Area Bites; Check, Please! Bay Area; Jacques Pepin's websites; Weir Cooking in the City and KQED.org's Food portal. When I am not creating and managing food websites I am taking photos of Bay Area Life and designing online navigation systems. My professional education and training includes: clinical psychology, photography, commercial cooking, web design, information architecture and UX . You can find me engaged in social media on Twitter @bayareabites and on Facebook at Bay Area Bites. I can also be found photoblogging at look2remember.

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